Are you an emotional eater?

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1STBUCKETITEM

2/15/2015 4:55:08 PM

This issue will always be a "work in progress." Food has been an emotional crutch for literally decades. But, I'm finally recognizing the "cues" and dealing with it on a more pro-active and positive re-enforcement basis.

I eat to relax. Growing up it was a habit to grab a book and a bag of chips (or whatever the snack of the day was) to relax in the evening. Or, what a movie and have popcorn, etc. I've gotten to the point where I'm cognizant of it and am trying to make better choices, but I sometimes really struggle with it.

NIFTY_50

I say I used to be an emotional eater. I still eat for reasons other than hunger but it's more of someone offers me something they made and if I'm not full I'll have a bite or two. Mostly I eat because I'm hungry. I'm not the type to get bored often thankfully, I like to read too much for that and reading is so very portable (even though I'm pretty old fashioned and mostly read paper books). I usually emotionally ate out of stress and near daily walks, petting my cats, reading, playing video games and yoga help tremendously with that.

My demon that demands to be fed? Anxiety pure and simple. I work at home and usually within a short distance of the frig. When I face a long list of to do's, and I'm not sure where to begin, for some reason my favorite place to contemplate prioritizing is standing in front of the fridge with the doors swung wide. And my go to relief foods involve carbs, preferably sweet ones. You can imagine where this has led. Since the summer, I've adopted some new strategies, however. I eat a filling breakfast that is high in protein, a mid-morning snack of fruit--apples and a little nut butter fixes my sweet tooth, and a protein based lunch. Then I hit the gym for an hour of pool jogging. When I get back home I have another apple and nut butter or carrots and hummus. When I'm craving sweet carbs I have a small bowl of low fat yogurt and pumpkin flax seed granola while I'm making my written to do list . And then I take great pleasure in scratching each item of the list as I complete it. And I drink a glass of iced tea as I go. It's working--25 lbs have disappeared since August along with my demon. I've finally vanquished him.

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